Abu Dhabi's Estidama Pearls Design System comment process underway

The Estidama Pearls Design System (EPDS) is programmed to include both Design Guides and Sustainability rating system for New Communities (NC) and New Buildings (NB) in support of Abu Dhabi's Plan 2030 efforts to reach towards Estidama (Arabic for Sustainability).

Both NB and NC tools are to be finalised by October 2009 with a variety of other tools being delivered in the near future.

The Ecospecifier Global team were appointed to develop the Pearls New Buildings Ratings Method and New Building Design Guide (for Offices, Retail, Residential and Mixed Use Buildings) and Existing Buildings.

The EPDS-NB Rating Method (EPDS-NBRM) Stakeholder Review version developed by Ecospecifier with input from the international team was recently launched by the UPC and Estidama Team at Cityscape Abu Dhabi in April with the May Update release launched recently. Comments are still being welcomed.

The EPDS-NB Design Guide (DG) will be launched during June. Both the EPDS- Ratings Methods and Design Guides for the NB and NC tools will be refined with feedback derived from Stakeholders. Key Abu Dhabi agencies are also currently undertaking a detailed review after initial comments already provided.

This unique program is seizing an opportunity to create a new leading edge rating tool developed for use in Abu Dhabi and within a broader context also. While the mainstream aspects of the tools will be familiar to anyone who has used LEED, Green Star, BREEAM or numerous other global systems, key aspects of the program are different.

Advanced aspects of the system are:

- The '1st Pearl' rating will actually be mandatory and its implementation will be staged:

o The planning relevant 'Code Requirement' credits embedded in the UPC's Development Review planning/zoning approvals process have already been implemented as part of the UPC's new Planning Application process. The Estidama Integrative Design Process (EIDP) is required by the Development Review process for all projects requiring Urban Planning Council approval

o The building relevant 'Code Requirement' credits will be covered within the new Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs' and Municipality's Abu Dhabi Building Code (ADBC) being developed concurrently with the EPDS and planned for launch January 2010. Examples relevant to the ADBC include:

• Third party Certified Legal Source Wood products;
• Minimum energy performance requirements and specifications;
• Minimum water efficiency performance;
• Cool building strategies such as high levels of external shading;
• Minimum 'E0' formaldehyde rating of composite wood products or no urea formaldehyde in products;
• Minimum performance and reporting requirements for District Cooling Systems.

- All other credits are within the voluntary EPDS credits. However, once a higher rating than 1 Pearl is pursued a number of credits become prerequisites.
- A 3 Pearl rating is considered to be a high level achievement in comparison to other schemes globally.
- The 5th Pearl is the highest certification level and represents an extremely advanced level that is intentionally high. This 5th Pearl requires a net positive benefit to the environment in terms of net positive energy, water, and improving diversity and health of living systems or measurement of the whole of life impacts of the entire building.
- Other unique credit categories within the voluntary credits of the New Buildings Rating Method include:

o Offsite Renewable Energy generation and Biodiversity Offset Agreements with NGOs in other countries;
o Socially Sustainable Products and Materials including FSC Certified and Approved NGO community program sourced timber with additional credits where FSC advantages indigenous peoples;
o Life cycle impacts of Materials;
o Life cycle costing of projects;
o Detailed Ecotoxicity and Health impact assessments of materials;
o Net Positive Energy and Water Generation; and
o Detailed Eco-concrete Calculator.

- The EPDS NB rating will be awarded at Design Stage as a Target Rating and confirmed at completion of construction by the Certified Pearl Rating after inspection has demonstrated that the building has been built and commissioned according to the Target Rating performance commitments.

- After two years of occupation a Living Rating will be available to ensure the building is maintaining its intended performance in use. This Living Rating will deliver key benefits in supporting building owners and managers to maintain the building at the peak of its design performance and encourage awareness of good facilities management practices avoiding unnecessary energy and water infrastructure and saving significant operation costs.